Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Imagine a power-hitting center fielder roaming the outfield for your favorite big league team.

Now, picture the player as a teenager a few months away from becoming a professional athlete. The young and physical Calaz, who has tons of projection, has a chance to be that kind of player in the future.

Specifically, the teen has the potential to have plus raw power and be a plus runner if he continues to develop at a normal pace. The hit tool is still developing, but that's normal for a prospect his age. He's still putting all of his abilities together, which is also normal. There's just no denying his upside and overall potential.

Calaz trains at Academy Sanchez. The Rockies have shown interest in him.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Professional debuts in the Dominican Summer League following signing as an international free agent have to be taken with a grain of salt because the DSL tends to be very hitter-friendly. But it’s hard not to get excited about the tools Calaz used after signing with the Rockies for $1.7 million at the start of the 2023 signing period. The teenager put up a .325/.423/.561 line to whet everyone's appetite for his United States debut in 2024. 

While many young players from the international market scream projection but lack present strength, Calaz is already very physical. The power was showing up a little bit during his debut, but that's just scratching the surface of unlocking his right-handed raw pop. He's developed the beginnings of a pretty good approach with a feel to hit, too, allaying some early concerns about his abilities to find the barrel consistently. 

Calaz is still learning his body and how to use it efficiently, but he's an above-average runner and has the chance to stay in center field. A move to a corner could happen in the future if he slows down, but for now, the Rockies are mostly working with him on slowing the game down and helping him to learn about routines and preparations to maximize his very loud tools.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Calaz was ranked No. 24 on MLB Pipeline's Top 50 international prospects list when the 2023 signing period opened in January. His combination of speed and power intrigued many teams, most notably the Rockies, who made him the jewel of their signing class, inking the Dominican outfielder for $1.7 million, tops among the eight bonuses of six figures or higher. He provided an early return on the investment with a strong debut in the Dominican Summer League.

Strong and physical already, the 6-foot-2 right-handed hitter has the chance to be a truly impactful bat. There's plus raw power for him to continue to grow and tap into, though he was showing some ability to use it in the DSL out of the gate. While there was some question about his hit tool and overall approach as he was being evaluated, he’s done a nice job of drawing walks and limiting strikeouts, albeit in a small sample size.

A solid runner now, Calaz could have a chance to stick in center field if he can maintain his speed as he physically matures. If he slows down, as some expect, he could profile nicely in an outfield corner, with the power and run-producing abilities to fit there.

Awards

Baseball America Rookie All-Star

Year	Team
2024

ACL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

ACL Most Valuable Player

Year	Team
2024

ACL Player of the Month

Month	Team
05/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/25/2024	Fresno Grizzlies activated OF Robert Calaz from the 7-day injured list.
	08/28/2024	Fresno Grizzlies placed OF Robert Calaz on the 7-day injured list.
	08/02/2024	OF Robert Calaz assigned to Fresno Grizzlies from ACL Rockies.
	05/03/2024	OF Robert Calaz assigned to ACL Rockies from DSL Colorado.
	06/03/2023	DSL Colorado activated OF Robert Calaz.
	01/15/2023	Colorado Rockies signed free agent OF Robert Calaz to a minor league contract.
	01/15/2023	OF Robert Calaz assigned to DSL Colorado.